Acute toxicity of nitrite on white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) juveniles in low‐salinity water

The nitrite toxicity was estimated in juveniles of L. vannamei. The 24, 48, 72 and 96 h LC₅₀ of nitrite‐N on juveniles were 8.1, 7.9, 6.8 and 5.7 mg L^?1 at 0.6 g L^?1; 14.4, 9.6 8.3 and 7.0 mg L^?1 at 1.0 g L^?1; 19.4, 15.4, 13.4 and 12.4 mg L^?1 at 2.0 g L^?1 of salinity respectively. The tolerance of juveniles to nitrite decreased at 96 h of exposure by 18.6% and 54.0%, when salinity declined from 1.0 to 0.6 g L^?1 and from 2.0 to 0.6 g L^?1 respectively. The safe concentrations at salinities of 0.6, 1.0 and 2.0 g L^?1 were 0.28, 0.35 and 0.62 mg L^?1 nitrite‐N respectively. The relationship between LC₅₀ (mg L^?1), salinity (S) (g L^?1) and exposure time (T) (h) was LC₅₀ = 8.4688 + 5.6764S – 0.0762T for salinities from 0.6 to 2.0 g L^?1 and for exposure times from 24 to 96 h; the relationship between survival (%) and nitrite‐N concentration (C) for salinity of 0.6–2.0 g L^?1, nitrite‐N concentrations of 0–40 mg L^?1 and exposure times from 0 to 96 h was as follows: survival (%) = 0.8442 + 0.1909S – 0.0038T – 0.0277C + 0.0008ST + 0.0001CT–0.0029SC, and the tentative equation for predicting the 96‐h LC₅₀ to salinities from 0.6 to 35 g L^?1 in L. vannamei juveniles (3.9–4.4 g) was 96‐h LC₅₀ = 0.2127 S² + 1.558S + 5.9868. For nitrite toxicity, it is shown that a small change in salinity of waters from 2.0 to 0.6 g L^?1 is more critical for L. vannamei than when wider differences in salinity occur in brackish and marine waters (15–35 g L^?1).     

TaqMan real-time PCR assay for relative quantification of white spot syndrome virus infection in Penaeus monodon Fabricius exposed to ammonia

White spot disease is caused by a highly virulent pathogen, the white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). The disease is usually triggered by changes in environmental parameters causing severe losses to the shrimp industry. This study was undertaken to quantify the relative WSSV load in shrimp exposed to ammonia, using a TaqMan‐based real‐time PCR, and their subsequent susceptibility to WSSV. Shrimp were exposed to different levels of total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) (8.1, 3.8 and 1.1 mg L^?1) for 10 days and challenged with WSSV by feeding WSSV‐positive shrimp. WSSV was detected simultaneously in haemolymph, gills and pereopods at four hours post‐infection. The TaqMan real‐time PCR assay showed a highly dynamic detection limit that spanned over 6 log₁₀ concentrations of DNA and high reproducibility (standard deviation 0.33–1.42) and small correlation of variability (CV) (1.89–3.85%). Shrimp exposed to ammonia had significantly higher (P < 0.01) WSSV load compared to the positive control, which was not exposed to ammonia. Shrimp exposed to 8.1 mg L^?1 of TAN had the highest (P < 0.01) WSSV load in all three organs in comparison with those exposed to 3.8 and 1.1 mg L^?1 of TAN. However, haemolymph had significantly higher (P < 0.01) viral load compared to the gills and pereopods. Results showed that shrimp exposed to ammonia levels as low as 1.1 mg L^?1 (TAN) had increased susceptibility to WSSV.     

Larval development and salinity tolerance of Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) from hatching to juvenile settlement

Salinity tolerance and growth of Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus at different developmental stages were evaluated, including newly hatched larvae (nhl), yolk sac larvae (ysl), oil droplet larvae (odl), post oil droplet larvae (podl), premetamorphic larvae (preml) and prometamorphic larvae (proml), at 11 salinities from 5 to 55 g L^?1 for 96 h. The ontogenesis during the early life of P. olivaceus was investigated under hatchery salinity 35 g L^?1. The results showed that suitable salinities for nhl, ysl, odl, podl, preml and proml larvae were 10 to 25 g L^?1, 10 to 30 g L^?1, 20 to 30 g L^?1, 30 g L^?1, 10 to 30 g L^?1, 15 g L^?1, respectively, demonstrating an ontogenetic variation of salinity tolerance. The salinity tolerance of nhl, ysl, preml was higher than that of odl, podl and proml. The ysl and preml larvae displayed wide salinity tolerances. The present findings demonstrate that the suitable salinity for larviculture of P. olivaceus is 20–25 g L^?1 before the depletion of oil droplet; after that, higher salinity (30 g L^?1) should be ensured for the post‐oil droplet larvae; the premetamorphic larvae can be cultured at a wide salinity range (10–30 g L^?1), and the metamorphosed larvae should be reared at salinity about 15 g L^?1.     

Effects of total ammonia,temperature and salinity on the mortality and viral replication of WSSV‐infected Chinese shrimp (Fenneropenaeus chinensis)

In this study, we evaluated the effects of three factors, total ammonia, temperature and salinity, on the mortality of and viral proliferation in white spot syndrome virus (WSSV)‐infected Chinese shrimp. Shrimp maintained in 30‰ seawater at 25°C with 0.34 mg L^?1 total ammonia (control group) were injected with approximately 20 WSSV particles per shrimp and subsequently subjected to the following conditions: 30‰ seawater at 25°C, with 6 mg L^?1 (N1 group) or 14 mg L^?1 (N2 group) total ammonia; 30‰ seawater at 18°C (T1 group) or 30°C (T2 group), with 0.34 mg L^?1 total ammonia and 20‰ (S1 group) or 40‰ (S2 group) seawater at 25°C, with 0.34 mg L^?1 total ammonia. An anova analysis revealed that the cumulative mortality of WSSV‐infected Chinese shrimp was significantly lower when reared in the T1 group compared to that of the T2 and control group. Similarly, the mortality of the shrimp in the S1 group was also significantly lower than that of the S2 and control group. No significant differences were detected among the N1, N2 and control groups. Accordingly, the WSSV level in the T1 and S1 groups was significantly lower than those in the control, T2 or S2 groups respectively. No significant differences in viral loads were detected among the control, N1 and N2 groups. The transfer of Chinese shrimp to lower temperature and lower salinity enhanced their resistance to WSSV infection, whereas a change in the concentration of total ammonia had no significant effect on the mortalities and viral loads of WSSV‐infected shrimp.     

Supplementation of sodium chloride in diets to improve the meat quality of Pacific white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei,reared in low‐salinity water

To investigate the effect of dietary sodium chloride (NaCl) on meat quality of white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) reared in low‐salinity (2 g L^?1) water, shrimp were distributed into four groups (treatments T‐1, T‐2, T‐3 and control) with three replicates. All shrimps were completely randomised stocked into 12 tanks at an initial density of 40 shrimps per tank. Diets for the control, T‐1, T‐2 and T‐3 groups consisted of the basal diet supplemented with 0 g kg^?1, 10 g kg^?1, 20 g kg^?1 and 40 g kg^?1 of NaCl respectively. After 50 days, shrimps in T‐3 showed significantly better (P < 0.05) moisture, crude protein and ash than those of the control and T‐1. Higher muscle Na content was observed (P < 0.05) in T‐3 than that of the control. Significant increases (P < 0.05) in contents of inosinic acid, total free amino acid (TFAA) and essential free amino acid (EFAA) were also found in T‐3. Texture assays showed significant differences (P < 0.05) in hardness, adhesiveness and springiness between group T‐3 as compared with those of T‐1 and control. It indicated that dietary supplementation of NaCl appeared to be a promising practice to improve meat quality of white shrimp reared in low‐salinity waters.     

Rhodovulum sulfidophilum,a phototrophic bacterium,grown in palm oil mill effluent improves the larval survival of marble goby Oxyeleotris marmorata (Bleeker)

Survival of marble goby larvae fed either Rhodovulum sulfidophilum, a phototrophic bacterium cultured from palm oil mill effluent (pPB), or microalgae ( Nannochloropsis sp.) was evaluated at two salinities. Larvae directly fed pPB had survival of 0–29% at 5 g L^?1 salinity and 0–19% at 10 g L^?1 salinity, whereas larvae directly fed microalgae suffered complete mortality after 20 days of culture at both salinities. However, larvae indirectly fed pPB or microalgae, i.e. via rotifers (Days 1–30) and Artemia nauplii (Days 21–30) cultured solely from pPB or microalgae, showed improved survival of 35–55% or 44–49% at 5 g L^?1 salinity respectively. In all experiments, fish larvae reared at 5 g L^?1 salinity showed significantly higher (P < 0.01) mean survival than those reared at 10 g L^?1 salinity. The survival of larvae fed the bacterial‐based diet was higher compared with microalgal diet used in previous studies. The pPB had higher total polyunsaturated fatty acids and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) than the microalgae, which had very high eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Larvae with very high ratios of DHA/EPA (>11) or/and ARA (arachidonic acid)/EPA (>5), attributable to their given diet, however suffered the highest mortality.     

Dynamics of glucose in the haemolymph of female giant freshwater prawn,Macrobrachium rosenbergii,influences reproductive and non‐reproductive moulting cycles

Glucose, when measured in haemolymph, has been found to reflect a useful predictor of energetic investment. This study evaluated the pattern of glucose in the haemolymph, with an attempt to gain a better insight into the role of glucose as nutritional source of ovarian development and energy reserves during reproductive and non‐reproductive moulting cycles. The haemolymph of female giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, was obtained at eight different moulting stages, and levels of glucose were determined using an enzymatic colorimetric glucose‐oxidase method in parallel with a histological examination of ovarian development. Glucose levels were relatively low (0.15 ± 0.02 mg mL^?1) at D₀ stage, an abrupt increase (0.52 ± 0.13 mg mL^?1) during premoult D₁ stage and declined (0.32 ± 0.10 and 0.31 ± 0.09 mg mL^?1) during premoult D₂ and D₃ stages, respectively; thereafter, a slight increase (0.43 ± 0.09 mg mL^?1) occurred at post‐moult A stage. The progression of ovarian growth, marked by an increasing gonadosomatic index (GSI) pattern during the reproductive moulting cycle (C₀–D₃ stages), was directly proportionate to fluctuations in glucose levels. GSI was significantly positively correlated with glucose (R = 0.40; P < 0.05). In contrast, glucose was notably higher at post‐moult A and premoult D₂ stages during non‐reproductive moulting cycle, the period during which glucose is crucial for exoskeletal chitin synthesis. At this particular stage, a negative correlation between body weight and glucose (R = ?0.36; P < 0.05) was observed. The dynamics of glucose in the haemolymph of female M. rosenbergii correlated with ovarian growth, which signify that glucose as nutritional source for vitellogenesis, and affects the body weight of this species.     

Effect of light limitation on the water quality,bacterial counts and performance of Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae reared with biofloc at low salinity

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of light limitation on the water quality, bacterial counts and performance of Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae reared with biofloc at low salinity (≈9 g L^?1). Two treatments were designed: T₁ = culture with natural sunlight and T₂ = culture in darkness. After 28 days, in both treatments, the final weight of shrimp was over 0.6 g with a specific growth rate over 7.4% d^?1, and a survival rate over 70%. In both treatments, Vibrio sp. concentration presented low values (culture with natural sunlight = 0.1 to 9.9 × 10² CFU mL^?1, culture in darkness = 0.4 to 11.7 × 10² CFU mL^?1) and Bacillus sp. had high values (culture with natural sunlight = 0.7 to 66.0 × 10⁴ CFU mL^?1, culture in darkness = 0.7 to 65.8 × 10⁴ CFU mL^?1). All water quality parameters remained within the ranges suitable for shrimp culture, except for alkalinity during the first stage of the study. Although in some sampling periods some significant differences were found in bacterial counts and water quality parameters, shrimp productive performance under culture with biofloc at low salinity was not affected significantly by light limitation.     

Effects of salinity on standard metabolic rate of juvenile marbled spinefoot (Siganus rivulatus)

Marbled spinefoot, Siganus rivulatus, is a herbivorous euryhaline teleost widely distributed in the Eastern Mediterranean. It is an economically valuable species and a suitable candidate for warm water aquaculture. Accordingly, understanding the effects of environmental factors on fish metabolism is important to optimize culture conditions. Two experiments were performed to establish standard metabolic rate and study the effect of salinity on metabolism of marbled spinefoot. In the first experiment, a series of flow‐through respirometry experiments was performed at 27°C and 35 g L^?1. The standard metabolic rate of marbled spinefoot juveniles was calculated as 0.57 ± 0.02 mg O₂ g^?1 h^?1 (mean ± SE). In the second experiment, fish were maintained at salinities of 25, 30, 35 and 40 g L^?1 for 2 weeks. Flow‐through respirometry was performed to measure respiration rates at the various salinities. Respiration rates were similar among fish in salinities of 30, 35 and 40 g L^?1 but increased significantly at 25 g L^?1. Results suggest that despite the euryhalinity of marbled spinefoot, farmers should maintain salinity within the optimal range of 30–40 g L^?1 in order to improve productivity.     

Protein‐sparing effect of carbohydrate in the diet of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei at low salinity

Juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei were fed for 8 weeks with diets containing four ratios of protein to carbohydrate (CBH) at P26 : C30, P30 : C25, P34 : C19 and P38 : C14, respectively, at 3.0 g L^?1 salinity. Shrimp weight gain of P34 : C19 group was the highest and differed from the shrimp fed the P26 : C30 or P30 : C25 diet. Shrimp fed the P26 : C30 diet obtained higher survival than those fed other diets. Shrimp fed the P34 : C19 diet contained the highest body protein and lipid, which were significantly higher than those fed the P38 : C14 diet. Shrimp fed the P30 : C25 diet had the highest haemolymph glucose content, which was significantly higher than those fed the P26 : C30 or P38 : C14 diet. Shrimp muscle glycogen of the P26 : C30 group was the highest. Hepatopancreas B‐cell number of shrimp fed the P26 : C30 diet was lower than those fed other diets, and the R cell number was the highest in the shrimp fed the P30 : C25 diet. This study indicates that the protein‐sparing effect by CBH occurred in the P30 : C25 and P34 : C19 groups because these proteins to CBH ratios can support normal growth. Within the range of basic energy demand, the high dietary CBH to protein ratio can improve L. vannamei survival at low salinity.     

Effects of salinity on standard metabolic rate and critical oxygen tension in the giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii)

The extensively farmed giant freshwater shrimp, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, can survive salinities up to 26 g L^?1, but the commercially important grow‐out occurs exclusively in freshwater areas. Recent studies suggest the shrimp equally capable of growing in brackish as fresh water and a better understanding of how this species responds to changing salinity could significantly impact freshwater prawn farming in deltas and coastal areas. Here, the effect of salinity (0 and 15 g L^?1) on standard metabolic rate (SMR) and critical oxygen tension (P_crit) was measured in adult M. rosenbergii using intermittent closed respirometry. SMR was 79.8 ± 3.1 and 72.7 ± 2.9 μmol kg^?1 min^?1 in fresh and brackish water, respectively, with no significant difference between the two salinities (P = 0.122). During hypoxia M. rosenbergii maintained oxygen uptake down to a P_crit of 26.3 ± 1.4 mmHg in fresh and 27.2 ± 2.0 mmHg in brackish water (P = 0.682), showing that salinity had no overall effect on oxygen conductance in the animals. These findings are in agreement with recent growth studies and provide further evidence that grow‐out phase could be accomplished in brackish water areas. Thus, the predicted intrusions of brackish water in tropical deltas as a consequence of future global warming may not impact this important production.     

Quantitative dietary leucine requirement of juvenile Pacific white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) reared in low‐salinity water

The experiment was conducted to determine the leucine requirement of juvenile Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) in low‐salinity water (0.50–1.20 g L^?1). Six diets were formulated to contain 410 g kg^?1 crude protein with fish meal, peanut meal and precoated crystalline amino acids with different concentration of l ‐leucine (16.72, 19.60, 22.06, 24.79, 27.28 and 30.16 g kg^?1 dry diet). Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 30 shrimps (0.38 ± 0.002 g), and the feed trial lasted for 8 weeks. The results indicated that the maximum weight gain was observed at 24.95 g kg^?1 dietary leucine group, whereas the diets containing higher leucine concentration conversely reduced the growth performance (P < 0.05). Moreover, the highest body protein content and body protein deposition and the lowest haemolymph AST and ALT activities were also found at 24.95 g kg^?1 dietary leucine group. With the increase in leucine in diets, a dose‐dependent increase was found in body lipid content and haemolymph urea concentration. The polynomial regression calculated using weight gain, feed efficiency and body protein deposition indicated that the optimal dietary leucine requirement for L. vannamei reared in low‐salinity water was 23.73 g kg^?1 leucine of dry diet, correspondingly 57.88 g kg^?1 of dietary protein.     

The effect of dietary taurine supplementation on growth performance,feed utilization and taurine contents in tissues of juvenile white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei,Boone, 1931) fed with low‐fishmeal diets

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of different taurine levels on the growth performance of juvenile white shrimp fed with low‐fishmeal diets. Six level diets of dietary taurine were prepared by the supplementation of taurine (0, 0.4 g kg^?1, 0.8 g kg^?1, 1.2 g kg^?1, 2.0 g kg^?1 and 4.0 g kg^?1) to a control diet (100 g kg^?1 fish meal). Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 30 shrimps (0.48 ± 0.0 g), each three times daily. Shrimp fed the 0.4 g kg^?1 and 0.8 g kg^?1 taurine‐supplemented diets, showed significantly higher weight gain, protein efficiency ratio and protein retention efficiency than those of shrimp fed the other diets. The quadratic regression analysis (y = ?55.59x² + 187.1x + 750.2 R² = 0.587) indicated that a maximum weight gain occurring at 1.68 g kg^?1 of taurine level. The whole body and hepatopancreas taurine contents of the taurine‐supplemented diets were on the same level and higher than those of the control group. Total free amino acid content in the hepatopancreas was significantly affected by taurine supplementation. The results of the present study demonstrate that the white shrimps require taurine as an essential nutrient for growth performance.     

Growth,body composition,ammonia tolerance and hepatopancreas histology of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei fed diets containing different carbohydrate sources at low salinity

Juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei farmed at 3.0 psu were fed five diets containing glucose, sucrose, wheat starch, corn starch or potato starch as the carbohydrate (CBH) source. Shrimp were fed for 50 days to explore the effect of dietary CBH source on growth, body composition and ammonia tolerance. The specific growth rate of body length of shrimp fed glucose was the highest and significantly higher than those fed potato starch. The survival rate of shrimp fed glucose was 89.44%, and it was the highest and significantly higher than those fed wheat starch. Whole shrimp body crude protein and lipid of the corn starch group were 140.2 g kg^?1 and 10.1 g kg^?1 respectively. And they were significantly higher than those fed wheat starch. Shrimp fed potato starch had higher hepatopancreas and muscle glycogen. Shrimp fed sucrose had higher glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase and lower pyruvate kinase activities (P < 0.05). Besides, shrimp fed starch produced more B cells in hepatopancreas tubules than those fed glucose or sucrose. Shrimp fed different sources of CBH differed in the number of R cells. After 96‐h of ammonia nitrogen challenge, the survival rate of the treatments from high to low in turn was glucose, wheat starch, corn starch, sucrose and potato starch, and no significant differences were observed among all treatments. Based on shrimp growth and the economic problems of practical production, we recommend wheat starch as CBH source in practical diets for L. vannamei farmed at low salinities.     

Physiological, metabolic and haematological responses in white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) juveniles fed diets supplemented with astaxanthin acclimated to low-salinity water

The effects of dietary astaxanthin supplemented at 0, 40, 80 or 150 mg astaxanthin kg⁻¹ on growth, survival, moult frequency, osmoregulatory capacity (OC) and selected metabolic and haematological variables in Litopenaeus vannamei acclimated to low‐salinity water (3 g L⁻¹) were evaluated. Supplemented astaxanthin at 80 mg kg⁻¹ improved growth, survival and moult frequency in shrimp. The lowest OC was also exhibited in shrimp fed with dietary astaxanthin at 80 mg kg⁻¹. Shrimp haemolymph concentrations of glucose, lactate, haemocyanin and total haemocyte count were all significantly enhanced by feeding the diet supplemented with 80 mg astaxanthin kg⁻¹ compared with shrimp fed with the other diets. On the basis of these results, dietary astaxanthin supplementation of 80 mg kg⁻¹ is recommended for juvenile L. vannamei cultured in low‐salinity water.     

Effects of salinity on osmoregulation,growth and survival in Asian swamp eel (Monopterus albus) (Zuiew 1793)

The Asian swamp eel Monopterus albus is normally considered a freshwater species, but can also occasionally be found in brackish water. It is an obligate air‐breather with highly reduced gills, making its osmoregulation physiology interesting because the gills normally represent the primary site of osmoregulation in teleosts. Being a popular fish for human consumption, the swamp eel is cultured extensively in freshwater ponds in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. However, very little is known about its salinity tolerance, which is becoming topical due to the increasing salt‐water intrusions into tropical deltas. We therefore studied how increased salinity affects survival, growth, blood pressure, heart rate, blood osmolality and plasma ions. All eels survived prolonged exposure to 5 and 10 g L^?1, although plasma osmolality increased significantly at 10 g L^?1. Further elevation to 15 and 20 g L^?1 was associated with significantly elevated mortality, with a corresponding increase in plasma osmolality and ion con‐centrations. Our results show that swamp eels thrive in 0–10 g L^?1 with an optimum growth between 0 and 9 g L^?1, indicating that utilization of low saline brackish waters for aquaculture is possible.     

Use of new soybean varieties in practical diets for the Pacific white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei

This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of eight sources (designated A–H) of soybean meal (SBM) which included six new non‐genetically modified soya varieties in practical feed formulation for Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, using both growth and digestibility trials. A soybean meal‐based reference diet was formulated using conventional soybean meal (527 g kg^?1 diet), which was then replaced on an isonitrogenous basis with various other experimental soybean meals. In a 6‐week growth trial, shrimp in four replicate tanks per dietary treatment (10 shrimp per tank, initial weight 0.52 ± 0.04 g) were cultured in a recirculating system. There were no significant differences with respects to per cent weight gain and survival across all dietary treatments; however, final weights and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were lower in shrimp offered diet 3. Apparent digestibility coefficients for the eight (A–H) different soybean meals were determined in L. vannamei for dry matter (ADMD), gross energy (ADE) and crude protein (ADP) using 10 g kg^?1 chromic oxide as inert marker with 70 : 30 replacement techniques. Coefficients ranged from 71.3% to 88.3%, from 76.6% to 91.3% and from 93.6% to 99.8%, for ADMD, ADE and ADP, respectively. Improved digestibility values were observed in soybean C which was characterized by crude protein (471 g kg^?1), crude fat (97 g kg^?1), low cooking temperature (180 °C), higher nitrogen solubility index (689 g kg^?1) and protein dispersibility index (619 g kg^?1). This indicates that new lines of soybean meal can be used to improve digestibility coefficients in shrimp feeds.     

Water quality,Vibrio density and growth of Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone) in an integrated biofloc system with red seaweed Gracilaria birdiae (Greville)

An indoor trial was conducted for 42 days to evaluate water quality, Vibrio density and growth of Litopenaeus vannamei in an integrated biofloc system (IBS) with Gracilaria birdiae. Four treatments were used, each in triplicate: Control (monoculture shrimp); IBS 2.5 (L. vannamei and 2.5 kg wet weight seaweed m^?3); IBS 5.0 (L. vannamei and 5.0 kg wet weight seaweed m^?3) and IBS 7.5 (L. vannamei and 7.5 wet weight seaweed m^?3). Shrimp individuals (0.34 ± 0.01 g) were stocked at a density of 500 shrimp m^?3. No water exchange was carried out during the experimental period. Molasses was added once a day as an organic carbon source to maintain the C:N ratio at 12:1. The IBS significantly decreased (P < 0.05) dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) ranging from 19% to 34% (3.12–3.83 mg L^?1), NO₃‐N ranging from 19% to 38% (2.40–3.16 mg L^?1), Vibrio density ranging from by 8–83% (0.40–2.20 log 10³ colony‐forming units mL^?1), and FCR ranging from by 20–30% (1.20–1.37), as compared to the control (4.73 mg L^?1, 3.93 mg L^?1, 2.40 log 10³ colony‐forming units mL^?1, and 1.74 respectively). Moreover, the IBS significantly increased (P < 0.05) crude protein in whole body shrimp, ranging from 8% to 13% (13.2–13.7% wet weight basis); as well as final weight, ranging from 25% to 32% (3.90–4.12 g), weekly growth ranging from 25% to 34% (0.59–0.63 g), and shrimp yield by 22–39% (1.72–1.96 kg m^?3), as compared to control (12.1% wet weight basis, 3.12 g, 0.47 g, and 1.41 kg m^?3 respectively). It can thus be concluded that cultivating Gracilaria birdiae in an IBS with L. vannamei can contribute to DIN and NO₃‐N removal, lower Vibrio density, increased crude protein in whole body shrimp, higher growth and yield parameters in shrimp culture.     

Effects of incubation water hardness and salinity on egg hatch and fry survival of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus)

This study examined the effects of water hardness and salinity on yolk sac larvae and swim‐up fry survival of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Chitralada strain), eggs during artificial incubation. Four experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of hardness, salinity and the sources of saline incubation water. High water hardness treatments (500–4200 mg L^?1 as CaCO₃) resulted in higher yolk sac larvae and swim‐up fry survival than low water hardness treatments (50.0 and 132 mg L^?1 as CaCO₃); although yolk sac larvae and swim‐up fry survival did not differ among the high or low hardness treatments. Salinity of 4.0 g L^?1 using seawater, and 4.0 and 8.0 g L^?1 using unprocessed common salt resulted in the higher survival rate of yolk sac larvae and swim‐up fry than other salinity treatments. Yolk sac larvae and swim‐up fry survival was found to decrease with the increase in salinity and increase with the increase in water hardness. The present study demonstrated the positive effects of increased water hardness level (>132 mg L^?1) on yolk sac larvae and swim‐up fry survival. The study also showed that seawater salinity of 4 g L^?1 was the most appropriate salinity level for incubating Nile tilapia eggs.